“The President’s Own”

United States Marine Band

Public Affairs Chief Gunnery Sergeant Amanda Simmons joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in April 2003. She was appointed assistant public affairs chief in June 2006 and chief in January 2013. Gunnery Sgt. Simmons began her musical instruction on piano at age 6 and cello at age 9. After graduating in 1996 from Manheim Central High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in marketing from La Salle University in Philadelphia in 2000. In 2007, she earned a master’s degree in public communication from American University in Washington, D.C.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Gunnery Sgt. Simmons worked as a public relations specialist for O’Keeffe & Company, a full-service marketing communications firm in Alexandria, Va. Her duties included business-to-business and business-to-government media relations and event planning.

As Public Affairs Chief, Gunnery Sgt. Simmons develops publicity campaigns for performances, special events, and national concert tours; creates audience development plans; writes and edits news stories, feature articles, and biographies; works with members of the local and national media; designs and produces CDs, brochures, flyers, and a bimonthly newsletter and other direct mail pieces with an international circulation; represents “The President’s Own” at concerts and national conventions; advances the band’s annual concert tour and manages sponsors’ tickets and publicity efforts; maintains the website, www.marineband.marines.mil; and oversees social media initiatives.

Public Affairs Specialist Staff Sergeant Rachel Ghadiali joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in June 2006. She was appointed assistant chief in July 2014. Staff Sgt. Ghadiali began her musical training on piano at age 5 and saxophone at age 10. After graduating in 1995 from Herbert Hoover High School in Clendenin, she attended Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C., where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music in 1999. Upon graduation, she joined the United States Marine Corps and attended recruit training at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Beaufort, S.C. In May 2000, she reported to the Quantico Marine Band at Marine Base Quantico in Quantico, Va., where she served one enlistment.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Staff Sgt. Ghadiali worked as the promotions director for Salem Communications’ WAVA 105.1 FM in Washington D.C. Her duties included church and media relations and event planning.

Public Affairs Specialist Master Sergeant Kristin duBois joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in April 1999. She served as chief from 2002-2013. Master Sgt. duBois began her musical training on piano at age 9 and French horn at age 15. After graduating from Westfield High School in 1993, she attended Syracuse University in New York where she earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations in 1997.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Master Sgt. duBois worked at public relations firms in New York and Stamford, Conn., as an account executive. Her duties included media relations and event planning. She also has acted as interim public relations manager for the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, and as a volunteer for the New Haven Symphony Orchestra in Connecticut.

Graphic Design Specialist Staff Sergeant Brian Rust joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in June 2006. Staff Sgt. Rust began his musical training on piano at age 10 and on saxophone at age 12. Upon graduating from Uintah High School in Vernal in 2000, he attended Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in business management in 2006.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Staff Sgt. Rust worked with University Communications at BYU and the TriCounty Health Department in Vernal. His duties included media relations, graphic design, feature writing, and event planning.

As Graphic Design Specialist, Staff Sgt. Rust is responsible for the design of all print and digital publicity materials for the Marine Band, including concert publicity postcards, the annual showcase series and summer brochures, posters, the annual educational CD, and other direct mail pieces with an international circulation, as well as graphics for both the Marine Band website and social media pages.